Method and apparatus for identifying faults for a technical system

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus for identifying faults in a computer-aided manner for a technical system including a switch and a switch drive is provided. A fault or a disruption in the switch and/or in the switch drive is detected by capturing a temporal profile of a measurement variable of the switch drive. A simulation model is provided for the technical system and a fault situation is set by means of setting values of the simulation model, wherein the setting values are assigned to the fault situation. The technical system is simulated by means of the simulation model, wherein a simulated temporal profile of the measurement variable is captured. The simulated temporal profile is compared with the temporal profile of the measurement variable of the switch drive, wherein the fault situation is assigned to the detected fault on the basis of the comparison.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European application No. 18164710.8,having a filing date of Mar. 28, 2018, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The following relates to a method and an apparatus for identifyingfaults in a computer-aided manner for a technical system comprising aswitch and a switch drive.

BACKGROUND

Switches and switch drives are central elements of the route in railtraffic. To ensure an operating procedure as permanently as possible,requirements imposed on the functionality of the switch/switch drivesystem are generally high. Disruptions or faults in the switch and/orthe switch drive can greatly restrict the operation of the rail traffic.

It is known practice to monitor a rail infrastructure and to check thefunctionality of a switch and its drive using sensors, for example. Inparticular, diagnostic systems which can detect a fault in the systemand/or in the operation of the system by means of sensors, an evaluationunit and a computer are known. For this purpose, a power consumption ofthe switch drive, that is to say a temporal profile of the powerconsumed during an actuating operation for example, can be monitored. Afault, for example a blockage on account of an obstacle in a switch, canbe detected, for example, if the power consumption exceeds orundershoots a predefined threshold value. A fault can generally berectified only after an inspection and a search for the cause of thefault, for example by a service engineer. This can often be verytime-consuming and may result in an interruption in operation. Inaddition, the identification of individual causes of faults is often notpractical since only the result state of the faulty system may beavailable.

SUMMARY

An aspect relates to the identification of causes of faults for a systemcomprising a switch and a switch drive assigned to the switch.

The aspect is achieved by means of a method, an apparatus, a computerprogram product (non-transitory computer readable storage medium havinginstructions, which when executed by a processor, perform actions), anda computer-readable storage medium

A first aspect relates to a method for identifying faults in acomputer-aided manner for a technical system comprising a switch and aswitch drive, having the method steps of:

-   -   detecting a fault in the switch and/or in the switch drive by        capturing a temporal profile of a measurement variable of the        switch drive,    -   providing a simulation model for the technical system and        setting a fault situation by means of the setting values of the        simulation model, wherein the setting values are assigned to the        fault situation,    -   simulating the technical system by means of the simulation        model, wherein a simulated temporal profile of the measurement        variable is captured,    -   comparing the simulated temporal profile of the measurement        variable with the temporal profile of the measurement variable        of the switch drive, wherein the fault situation is assigned to        the detected fault on the basis of the comparison result,    -   identifying a cause of the detected fault on the basis of the        setting values of the simulation model and on the basis of the        comparison result,    -   outputting the identified cause of the fault.

An advantage of the method according to embodiments of the invention isthat the cause of a detected fault in the technical system can beidentified by simulating the technical system which comprises a switchand at least one switch drive. The embodiments are directed, inparticular, to rail systems, for example railroad switches and switchdrives. A fault can be identified, in particular, remotely, that is tosay without locally examining the technical system. This enables, forexample, faster maintenance of the switch and of the switch drive in theevent of a disruption and can prevent a relatively long operationalinterruption, in particular.

The technical system can be simulated, in particular, under a knownfault condition. A simulated fault situation can be assigned to thedetected fault on the basis of the comparison result, in particular ifthe simulated temporal profile corresponds to the measured temporalprofile of the measurement variable within a tolerance range, forexample.

In connection with embodiments of the invention, “computer-aided” can beunderstood as meaning, for example, an implementation of the method inwhich a processor, in particular, carries out at least one step of themethod.

A fault or a disruption in the switch/switch drive system can bedetected by monitoring a temporal profile of a measurement variable ofthe switch drive. For example, the power consumption of the switch drivecan be monitored, and a fault can be detected if the power consumptionexceeds or undershoots a threshold value. A quick analysis of the causeof the fault, for example an analysis in real time, can be carried outby simulating the system.

A simulation model of the switch and of the at least one switch drive isprovided. To identify the cause of the fault, the simulation model canbe used to simulate a predefined fault situation, for example a blockageof the operation of actuating the switch by an obstacle. A “faultsituation” can be understood as meaning, for example, a combination ofone or more individual causes of faults, wherein setting values of thesimulation model are assigned to the fault situation. In other words,the fault situation can be based on individual causes of faults. A causeof a fault can be derived from the setting values.

The technical system can be simulated taking into account the faultsituation and a simulated temporal profile of a measurement variable canbe captured. A measurement variable, for which there is a measurement ora temporal profile of the actual temporal system, is investigated in thesimulation. The fault situation can be predefined and can be set bymeans of setting values for the simulation model. In particular, thesetting values can be assigned to the fault situation and a cause of afault, for example an obstacle in the switch or sluggish movement ofindividual moving parts, can be represented thereby. The setting valuesof the simulation model can therefore be selected to reproduce thisfault situation.

The operations of actuating the switch can be simulated by means of thesimulation model and the temporal profile of a measurement variable canbe determined from the simulation. A cause of a fault can be identifiedon the basis of the comparison with the temporal profile of themeasurement variable of the actual switch drive. For example, a measuredload curve and a simulated load curve can be compared with one another.For example, the comparison may reveal a correspondence of the twotemporal profiles within a predefined range of values and the faultsituation can be determined as the cause of the detected fault or can beassigned to the latter. A plurality of causes of faults can bedetermined and output on the basis of the setting values of thesimulation model. It is possible to assign a probability value to thecomparison, on the basis of which value the cause of the fault can beidentified.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the simulation model canrepresent an electronic and/or a mechanical component of the switch andof the switch drive.

The simulation model of the technical system comprising a switch and atleast one switch drive may comprise, in particular, detailed modeling ofthe mechanics and/or electronics of the system. The physics and theoperating principles of the technical system can be represented by meansof the simulation model and fault situations can thus be analyzed.Operations of actuating the switch can be simulated and the temporalprofile of a measurement variable can be determined therefrom.

In one advantageous embodiment, more than one fault situation can beset, and the simulated temporal profile of the measurement variable canbe respectively captured and, on the basis of the comparison with thetemporal profile of the measurement variable of the switch drive in eachcase, that simulated temporal profile with the smallest deviation can beselected.

More than one fault situation can be provided and can be set in thesimulation model by means of assigned setting values. A plurality offault situations of the technical system can be set and simulated insuccession. In other words, the technical system can be repeatedlysimulated under different known fault conditions. For each simulationwith a set fault situation, a simulated temporal profile of themeasurement variable can accordingly be determined in each case. Thatsimulated fault situation whose associated simulated temporal profileexhibits the smallest deviation from the measured temporal profile, thatis to say exhibits the best correspondence in the comparison forexample, can be determined on the basis of a comparison with themeasured temporal profile of the measurement variable of the switchdrive. For example, the deviation can be used to determine a probabilityvalue which indicates the probability of a cause of a fault being ableto be assigned to the detected fault. This embodiment of the method canbe used to determine the cause of the fault on which the detected faultis based with a high degree of probability.

In an advantageous embodiment, a faulty component of the technicalsystem can be determined on the basis of the simulated temporal profileof the measurement variable and the identified cause of the fault.

The simulation model can represent individual software and/or hardwarecomponents of the technical system. A component of the technical systemin which the fault occurs, for example, or which is faulty can beidentified on the basis of the setting values assigned to the faultsituation.

In one advantageous embodiment, sensor data can be captured andevaluated as measurement variables of the technical system by means of adetection module.

The technical system comprises sensors for monitoring measurementvariables of the individual components, for example of the switch drive.A detection module can capture and evaluate the sensor data, forexample, and can determine a fault in the technical system from theevaluation. The technical system is monitored continuously and thesensor data are evaluated promptly or in real time.

In one advantageous embodiment, the simulation model can be createdand/or calibrated on the basis of a configuration and/or on the basis ofconditions of use and/or environmental data and/or sensor data of thetechnical system.

Before simulating the system, the simulation model can be adapted toactual conditions and can be accordingly calibrated. For example, sensordata may provide current information relating to the technical system tobe simulated which can be set by means of setting values of thesimulation model. The simulation can therefore represent, in particular,the actual system, for example special properties. The search for thecause of the fault can therefore be improved.

In one advantageous embodiment, measures for rectifying the fault in theswitch and/or in the switch drive can be determined and initiated byoutputting the identified cause of the fault.

The output of the identified cause of the fault can be used to initiatemeasures for rectifying the fault. For example, a suitable measure canbe determined, and/or a faulty component can be identified on the basisof the cause of the fault. Fast maintenance can therefore be achieved.In particular, efficient remote maintenance can therefore be carried outfor a switch system which is difficult to access.

In one advantageous embodiment, the identified cause of the fault can bestored in a database and/or in a storage unit.

The identified cause of the fault can be recorded in a list or acatalog. The stored cause of the fault can be used, for example, tosearch for a cause of a fault in the event of future disruptions in thesame system or in a similar technical system. For example, a descriptionof the identified cause of the fault, for example the environmentalinformation, can be additionally stored. It is also possible to usestored causes of faults as an input for subsequent fault identification,in the form of a fault situation, for the simulation model. Theidentification of faults can be accelerated with known inputs by meansof simulation.

Another aspect of embodiments of the invention relates to an apparatusfor identifying faults in a computer-aided manner for a technical systemcomprising a switch and a switch drive, comprising:

-   -   a detection module for detecting a fault in the switch and/or in        the switch drive by capturing a temporal profile of a        measurement variable of the switch drive,    -   a simulation module for providing a simulation model for the        technical system and for setting a fault situation by means of        setting values of the simulation model, wherein the setting        values are assigned to the fault situation, and for simulating        the technical system by means of the simulation model, wherein a        simulated temporal profile of the measurement variable is        captured,    -   a comparison module for comparing the simulated temporal profile        of the measurement variable with the temporal profile of the        measurement variable of the switch drive, wherein the fault        situation is assigned to the detected fault on the basis of the        comparison result,    -   an identification module for identifying a cause of the detected        fault on the basis of the setting values of the simulation model        and on the basis of the comparison result,    -   an output module for outputting the identified cause of the        fault.

An apparatus according to embodiments of the invention may be in theform of a software and/or hardware module.

In one advantageous embodiment, the apparatus comprises sensors forcapturing sensor data of the technical system.

Sensors capture temporal profiles of measurement variables of thetechnical system continuously and/or regularly. For example, a powerconsumption can be captured over time by means of a sensor on the switchdrive.

In one advantageous embodiment, the simulation module can be set up tocreate and/or calibrate the simulation model on the basis of aconfiguration and/or on the basis of conditions of use and/orenvironmental data and/or sensor data of the technical system.

In one advantageous embodiment, the apparatus comprises a storage unitand/or a database for storing an identified cause of the fault.

Another aspect of embodiments of the invention relates to a computerprogram product which can be directly loaded into a programmablecomputer, comprising program code parts which are suitable for carryingout the steps of the method according to embodiments of the invention,and to a computer-readable storage medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references tothe following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows, in the form of a flowchart, one exemplary embodiment ofthe method according to embodiments of the invention for identifyingfaults in a computer-aided manner for a technical system;

FIG. 2 shows, in the form of a flowchart, another exemplary embodimentof the method according to embodiments of the invention for identifyingfaults in a computer-aided manner for a technical system; and

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatusaccording to embodiments of the invention for identifying faults in acomputer-aided manner for a technical system.

Mutually corresponding objects are provided with the same referencesigns in all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows, in the form of a flowchart, one exemplary embodiment ofthe steps of the method according to embodiments of the invention. Theexemplary embodiment relates to a rail system comprising a switch and aswitch drive. In step S1, a fault or a disruption in the system iscaptured by means of a detection module. For example, the fault maycause a failure of the switch controller, with the result that sensorson the switch drive detect a fall in the temporal profile of the powerconsumption. The detected fault comprises the failure of the switchsystem, for example. The sensors can also capture, for example,temperature, pressure, acceleration or voltage.

In step S2, a simulation model of the technical system comprising theswitch and the associated switch drive is provided. The simulation modelcan be set on the basis of a configuration and/or on the basis ofconditions of use and/or environmental data and/or sensor data of thetechnical system. In other words, setting values of the simulation modelcan be adapted to the system to be simulated. In particular, asimulation model can be adapted to a particular switch/switch drivesystem, for example with special environmental conditions or aparticular maintenance state.

A fault situation is predefined and is set up by setting the settingvalues of the simulation model. The technical system is simulated bymeans of the simulation model in which the fault situation has been set.For example, an operation of actuating a switch can be simulated,wherein the fault situation comprises an obstacle in the switch.Consequently, the simulation is carried out in step S3 taking intoaccount the obstacle and a simulated temporal profile of a measurementvariable, for example power consumption, is captured.

In step S4, the simulated temporal profile of the measurement variableis compared with the measured temporal profile which is continuouslyprovided by a sensor, for example. A fault situation can be assigned toa detected fault if a deviation between the two temporal profiles fallswithin a predefined tolerance range. In other words, in the case of aparticular similarity of the temporal profiles, the detected fault canbe declared with a particular degree of probability with the simulatedfault situation.

If the comparison reveals that the predefined fault situation results ina simulated temporal profile which can reproduce the measured temporalprofile, at least one cause of a fault can be determined from the faultsituation. For this purpose, it is determined in step S5, on the basisof the comparison, that the fault situation is the cause of the detectedfault, for example with a statement of the probability, and the at leastone cause of the fault can be identified on the basis of the settingvalues.

The identified cause of the fault is output in step S6. Measures forrectifying the fault can then be initiated. In particular, individualfaulty components of the technical system can be determined on the basisof the comparison, with the result that measures can be derived andimplemented only for this component.

The method according to embodiments of the invention can also be used,for example, for early fault detection if, for example, an abnormaltemporal profile of a measurement variable is captured by a sensor, buta fault is not detected in this case. For example, a change in thetemporal profile of a measurement variable can already indicate a futurefault. Causes of faults can be determined by means of comparison with asimulated temporal profile according to a predefined fault situationbefore serious disruptions, for example operational failures, occur.

FIG. 2 shows, in the form of a flowchart, another exemplary embodimentof the method according to embodiments of the invention. The individualmethod steps are similar to the steps described in FIG. 1. Aftercomparing the simulated temporal profile with the measured temporalprofile of a measurement variable, see step S4, a fault situation can bepredefined again and the simulation can be carried out, see steps S2 andS3. For example, the comparison may reveal that the selected faultsituation results in a simulated temporal profile which cannot reproducethe measured temporal profile within a tolerance range. To optimize theidentification of faults, steps S2 to S4 can be repeated as often asdesired with different fault situations. It is therefore possible todetermine that fault situation whose simulation can reproduce thedetected fault in such a manner that the deviation between the simulatedtemporal profile and the measured temporal profile of the measurementvariable is smallest.

In other words, that fault situation for which the simulated temporalprofile exhibits the smallest deviation from the measured temporalprofile of the corresponding measurement variable is selected.

For example, determined fault situations can be stored in a databaseand/or a storage unit and can be used for an analysis, in particular asubsequent analysis, of a detected fault.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus(100) according to embodiments of the invention. The apparatus (100)comprises a detection module (101), a simulation module (102), acomparison module (103), an identification module (104), an outputmodule (105) and a storage unit (106) or a database (107). The apparatuscomprises a processor (108) for carrying out at least one step of themethod according to embodiments of the invention. The individual modulesare connected to one another in a wired or wireless manner. Theapparatus is connected to the actual switch/switch drive system and/orto sensors of the system via a communication connection C.

The apparatus may comprise, in particular, sensors for monitoringmeasurement variables in the technical system. A fault can be detectedon the basis of a measured temporal profile of a measurement variable bymeans of the detection module (101).

The simulation module (102) is set up to provide a simulation model ofthe mechanics of the technical system, in particular of the componentsof the switch and of the switch drive, and therefore to simulate thesystem. A simulated temporal profile of a measurement variable can bedetermined on the basis of the simulation.

The comparison module (103) determines the deviation of the simulatedtemporal profile from the measured temporal profile of a measurementvariable and outputs a degree of correspondence or a probability value,for example. The deviation of the two temporal profiles can beinvestigated using statistical methods, for example.

On the basis of the comparison result, the identification module (104)outputs a fault situation as the cause of the detected fault. One ormore causes of faults can be identified on the basis of the settingvalues of the simulation model which are assigned to the faultsituation.

The output module (105) outputs the one or more identified causes offaults. For example, the causes of faults are stored in the storage unit(106) and/or the database (107). Measures for rectifying faults can bederived on the basis of the causes of faults.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form ofpreferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood thatnumerous additional modifications and variations could be made theretowithout departing from the scope of the invention.

For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of ‘a’ or‘an’ throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and‘comprising’ does not exclude other steps or elements.

1. A method for identifying faults in a computer-aided manner for atechnical system comprising a switch and a switch drive, the methodcomprising: detecting a fault in the switch and/or in the switch driveby capturing a temporal profile of a measurement variable of the switchdrive; providing a simulation model for the technical system and settinga fault situation by means of setting values of the simulation model,wherein the setting values are assigned to the fault situation;simulating the technical system by means of the simulation model,wherein a simulated temporal profile of the measurement variable iscaptured; comparing the simulated temporal profile of the measurementvariable with the temporal profile of the measurement variable of theswitch drive, wherein the fault situation is assigned to the detectedfault on a basis of a comparison result; identifying a cause of thedetected fault on the basis of the setting values of the simulationmodel and on the basis of the comparison result; and outputting theidentified cause of the fault.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the simulation model represents an electronic and/or amechanical component of the switch and of the switch drive.
 3. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein more than one fault situation isset and the simulated temporal profile of the measurement variable isrespectively captured and, on the basis of the comparison with thetemporal profile of the measurement variable of the switch drive in eachcase, that simulated temporal profile with the smallest deviation isselected.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a faultycomponent of the technical system is determined on the basis of thesimulated temporal profile of the measurement variable and theidentified cause of the fault.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein sensor data are captured and evaluated as measurement variablesof the technical system by means of a detection module.
 6. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the simulation model is created and/orcalibrated on the basis of a configuration and/or on the basis ofconditions of use and/or environmental data and/or sensor data of thetechnical system.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein measuresfor rectifying the fault in the switch and/or in the switch drive aredetermined and initiated by outputting the identified cause of thefault.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identified causeof the fault is stored in a database and/or in a storage unit.
 9. Anapparatus for identifying faults in a computer-aided manner for atechnical system comprising a switch and a switch drive, the apparatuscomprising: a detection module for detecting a fault in the switchand/or in the switch drive by capturing a temporal profile of ameasurement variable of the switch drive; a simulation module forproviding a simulation model for the technical system and for setting afault situation by means of setting values of the simulation model,wherein the setting values are assigned to the fault situation, and forsimulating the technical system by means of the simulation model,wherein a simulated temporal profile of the measurement variable iscaptured; a comparison module for comparing the simulated temporalprofile of the measurement variable with the temporal profile of themeasurement variable of the switch drive, wherein the fault situation isassigned to the detected fault on the basis of the comparison result; anidentification module for identifying a cause of the detected fault onthe basis of the setting values of the simulation model and on the basisof the comparison result; and an output module for outputting theidentified cause of the fault.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9,comprising sensors for capturing sensor data of the technical system.11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the simulation moduleis set up to create and/or calibrate the simulation model on the basisof a configuration and/or on the basis of conditions of use and/orenvironmental data and/or sensor data of the technical system.
 12. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a storage unitand/or a database for storing an identified cause of the fault.
 13. Acomputer program product, comprising a computer readable hardwarestorage device having computer readable program code stored therein,said program code executable by a processor of a computer system toimplement a method as claimed in claim
 1. 14. A computer-readablestorage medium having a computer program product as claimed in claim 13.